Go west

KELLY LUKENS • The Westin St. Francis

WORK • Wednesday Routine

KELLY LUKENS • marketing manager • The Westin St. Francis
Neighborhood you work in: Union Square
Neighborhood you live in: West Portal

It’s Wednesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Wednesdays are my work-from-home days, so I’m sitting in my kitchen with a cup of coffee (home-roasted by my husband) looking out at Mt. Davidson. I run marketing at The Westin St. Francis on Union Square, which includes everything from website and email management to social media and on-property activations.

What’s on the agenda for today?
Today I’m prepping for a photoshoot of our remodeled lobby. I can’t wait for the world to see the complete transformation — it’s going to make meeting in a hotel lobby sexy again. I also have a meeting with the Union Square Alliance Marketing Committee to discuss the downtown Winter Walk.

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
Tonight I’m meeting up with girlfriends at West Portal’s Binu Bonu. I’ve been several times since it’s opened, and it’s such a cozy place to have a glass of wine with friends or wait for your reservation at Elena’s. I love that West Portal is finally getting its time in the spotlight!

How about a little leisure or culture?
This weekend we are taking family photos in our favorite spot, San Francisco’s Botanical Gardens. Later this month, I’m planning meet ups at the Union Square Ice Rink, volunteering at a food pantry with my kids, and sneaking in a date night at Black Cat Jazz Club.

Any weekend getaways?
We always make a point to drive up to Sonoma/Napa as the seasons change. We’ve been members at Saintsbury winery for years, but another winery I love is Abbots Passage in Glen Ellen. It’s female-owned, founded by sixth generation winemaker Katie Bundschu, and in a region of Sonoma Valley that sometimes flies under the radar.

What was your last great vacation?
A “parents-only” trip to Amsterdam! We stayed at The Hoxton, borrowed friends’ e-bikes and rode through Vondelpark in the rain. We also had some amazing meals at places like Cantine De Caron.